Where to Stay in Papua New Guinea
Your guide to the best areas and accommodation types
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Best Areas to Stay
Each neighborhood has its own character. Find the one that matches your travel style.
The capital city offers the country's best selection of hotels, primarily serving business travelers and transit visitors. Most accommodation is concentrated around Ela Beach and the downtown area with high security standards.
- Best hotel infrastructure in the country with international chains
- High security with guarded compounds and 24-hour surveillance
- Easy access to airport, restaurants, and business facilities
- Reliable internet and business services
- Expensive for what you get compared to international standards
- Limited cultural experiences and tourist attractions nearby
- Not safe to walk outside hotel compounds after dark
Known as 'the prettiest town in the Pacific,' Madang offers a more relaxed coastal atmosphere with better value accommodation than Port Moresby. Popular base for diving, snorkeling, and exploring nearby islands.
- Beautiful coastal setting with access to excellent diving sites
- More affordable than Port Moresby with better value
- Safer and more walkable town environment
- Good range of hotels and guesthouses
- Access to nearby islands and cultural villages
- Limited luxury options compared to the capital
- Some facilities may be dated or poorly maintained
Base area for trekkers preparing to walk the famous Kokoda Track. Accommodation is basic but functional, with guesthouses and lodges catering specifically to trekkers and their support teams.
- Convenient staging point for Kokoda Track expeditions
- Access to WWII historical sites and memorials
- Cooler highland climate than coastal areas
- Experienced operators familiar with trekker needs
- Very basic facilities with limited amenities
- Remote location with limited dining and entertainment options
- Accommodation often included in trek packages only
Premier diving destination with world-class coral reefs and WWII wrecks. Accommodation centers around dive resorts, with Walindi Plantation Resort being the most famous. Remote location accessible by air from Port Moresby.
- Access to some of the world's best diving sites
- All-inclusive dive resort packages available
- Professional dive operations with excellent safety standards
- Beautiful natural setting with pristine reefs
- Quality accommodation despite remote location
- Expensive due to remoteness and flight costs
- Limited options outside of dive resorts
- Weather dependent for diving activities
Highland region known for traditional culture and the famous Mount Hagen Show. Accommodation is limited but improving, with a mix of basic hotels and lodges serving visitors to cultural festivals and coffee plantations.
- Access to authentic highland culture and villages
- Cooler, more comfortable climate year-round
- Base for attending spectacular cultural shows and sing-sings
- Gateway to highland trekking and coffee plantation tours
- Limited accommodation options with basic facilities
- Security concerns require careful planning and local guides
- Infrastructure can be unreliable (power, water)
Accommodation Types
From budget-friendly hostels to luxury hotels, here's what's available.
Found primarily in Port Moresby, offering familiar standards with high security, business facilities, and reliable services. Include brands like Hilton, Airways Hotel, and Grand Papua.
Best for: Business travelers, first-time visitors, those prioritizing security and comfort
Remote resorts specializing in diving, birdwatching, or cultural experiences. Often all-inclusive with meals, activities, and transfers included. Found in Kimbe, Milne Bay, Madang, and other coastal areas.
Best for: Divers, nature enthusiasts, travelers seeking authentic experiences in remote locations
Mid-range accommodation in regional centers like Madang, Rabaul, Lae, and Mount Hagen. Standards vary widely, from comfortable to quite basic despite pricing.
Best for: Independent travelers, those on extended stays, budget-conscious visitors
Basic accommodation ranging from simple guesthouses in towns to traditional village stays. Facilities are minimal but offer authentic cultural experiences, especially in highland regions.
Best for: Adventure travelers, cultural enthusiasts, those on tight budgets willing to rough it
Some former or current industry accommodation accepts general travelers, offering good standards in remote areas. Availability can be limited and inconsistent.
Best for: Travelers visiting remote areas with limited other options
Booking Tips
Insider advice to help you find the best accommodation.
PNG has limited accommodation capacity, especially during festival season (July-September) and in remote areas. Book 2-3 months ahead for Port Moresby and 3-6 months for remote lodges and dive resorts. Last-minute bookings often result in no availability or significantly inflated prices.
Communication can be unreliable in PNG. Reconfirm your booking by email and phone 1-2 weeks before arrival, then again 2-3 days prior. Request written confirmation and bring printed copies. Power outages and internet issues mean online booking systems may not be updated in real-time.
Many hotels, especially remote lodges, operate on all-inclusive or half-board basis. Clarify whether meals, airport transfers, activities, and taxes are included in your rate. Remote locations may charge separately for generator power or boat transfers that seem like they should be included.
Choose accommodation with good security measures including guards, fenced compounds, and secure parking. In Port Moresby especially, do not compromise on security to save money. Reputable hotels arrange secure airport transfers - never take unmarked taxis or walk outside hotel grounds after dark.
PNG accommodation is expensive relative to quality compared to other destinations. What costs USD 200/night may be equivalent to a USD 80 hotel elsewhere. Accept this reality and focus on the unique experiences rather than hotel amenities. Even 'luxury' options may have maintenance issues or power outages.
For remote lodges and dive resorts, package deals including domestic flights, transfers, accommodation, meals, and activities often provide better value than booking components separately. Specialist PNG tour operators can arrange better rates than individual bookings.
Not all properties accept international credit cards, and those that do may charge 3-5% surcharges. ATMs in Port Moresby work for international cards but are unreliable elsewhere. Bring sufficient USD or AUD cash for remote areas, which can often be used directly or exchanged locally.
Many PNG accommodations aren't on major booking platforms. Use specialist PNG travel agencies, dive tour operators, or contact hotels directly via email/phone. For Port Moresby business hotels, standard booking sites work fine, but always reconfirm directly with the property.
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When to Book
Timing matters for both price and availability.
Book 3-6 months ahead for June-September dry season, especially for Goroka and Mount Hagen shows (typically September and August respectively). Dive resorts and lodges fill up quickly. Port Moresby business hotels can be tight during APEC meetings and major conferences.
April-May and October-November offer more availability with 1-2 months advance booking usually sufficient. Weather is less predictable but accommodation rates may be slightly lower, especially at dive resorts. Good time for better deals if you're flexible.
December-March wet season sees lowest demand except around Christmas/New Year. Can sometimes negotiate rates or find last-minute availability, but many remote lodges close for maintenance or reduce operations. Some diving areas are inaccessible due to weather.
PNG has limited accommodation infrastructure, so earlier booking is always safer regardless of season. Remote locations and specialist lodges require 3-6 months advance booking year-round. Port Moresby can sometimes accommodate last-minute bookings but expect premium rates and limited choice.
Good to Know
Local customs and practical information.